In this issue:

NL130 Recognizes The DRAW Challenge Winner! - Winning entry by Anthony Webb

But wait! There's more:

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But definitely NOT in this issue:

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Moe, If You're Through Broadcasting, Then Check This Stuff Out!

Wrap some duct tape tightly around your computer systems, kids, because once again this newsletter is bursting with good stuff!

We start this newsletter with the publication and recognition of the winning entry in the forum's DRAW() Challenge. This contest started when member IntegerJim wished for a built-in LB command similar to QBASIC's DRAW() command. Six forum members submitted entries, all of which were excellent! The winning entry was submitted by member Anthony Webb, and you can read about it here. Perhaps IntegerJim can visit the forum soon to let us know if any of those great DRAW() functions helped him convert QBASIC programs.

Next, talented programmer Dennis McKinney opens an exciting new door for LB users with his article, Using Activex DLLs in Liberty BASIC. Dennis discusses in detail how to use a particular ActiveX DLL called Xzip.dll, and points the reader to his [website] where you can download Dennis' custom-made tools for accessing the technology. Who knows what other treasures might be beyond this door? LB users may find out because Dennis suggests that a second article on this topic will be developed. Thanks a bunch, Dennis.

Once again, Alyce Watson shows her gift for writing cogent and concise tutorials with her article, Chat Window Prototype. Is the construction of a chat window difficult? It doesn't have to be. Well, how do you use the RETURN key to send your message to the display window? Hey, the article 'splains it! Feel free to use Alyce's prototype as the starting point for a text adventure game!

Who is competent in STYLEBITS syntax? Let's see hands. Anybody? Anybody? Not too many of you, as I expected. Fortunately, Janet Terra has ridden to the rescue with the introduction of a new series called Stylebits Corner! Janet provides a nice introduction to the STYLEBITS topic, along with two fine demo programs. Hey, we can't wait for the next installment, Janet. (And good work smoking out that undocumented STYLEIBIS command, too!)

Next, forum member WeLopez provides a sequel to a previous article on data sorting with Another SORT of DATA File. WeLopez carefully explains what comma-separated data is, and how data of this sort can be parsed and used by LB programs. His example uses a data set consisting of a coin collection, and he provides CoinShop.bas to handle the data. Copy the data file and the BASIC file from the article, or look for it in the nl130.zip archive. Thanks for another fine article, WeLopez!

Last, don't forget to avoid Nally's article on Projectile Motion in 3D Space. This article provides clear, simple code showing how to track the path of a projectile (a basketball, a missile) launched into a 3D world. To illustrate the method, a very small, text-only program is embedded in the body of the article. But also included in the zip archive of the newsletter, nl130.zip, is a more ambitous program called Artillery 3D. This program allows you to launch cannonballs at spiders who occupy the "artillery grid". But let me emphasize the following: no real spiders were harmed during the development of that program. I'm glad that's taken care of.

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What's that, Ethel? You're making Smores? And reruns of the Honeymooners are about to start? Good gracious, I've died and gone to heaven! As much as I'd like to keep writing, kids, finer things await me, as I'm sure you'll agree!

Liberty BASIC Newsletter 130 is now secure. Nally out.

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